JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Echinacea laevigata
Plant Common Name
Smooth Coneflower, Smooth Purple Coneflower
General Description
Smooth coneflower has smooth green leaves and a pale lavender flower in summer. The petals often droop and infrequently may be entirely white; the disk center is dark purple. It is rare in its native range of the piedmont region of the southeastern United States. This herbaceous perennial is an United States federally endangered plant species.
Smooth coneflower enjoys nutrient rich but well drained, acidic soils. Full sun exposure is important for plant health and flowering. It is important that this plant is never collected from the wild, which often includes highway verges in the American states of Georgia, Virginia and North and South Carolina. Historically, these coneflowers had been admired along roadsides and then uprooted for use in home gardens. Today, development of open forests destroys the optimal habitat for this wildflower.
Characteristics
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
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Native To
Southeastern United States
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple, Lavender
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
